ALLEGED COMMANDEER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 83, 3 November 1939, Page 4

ALLEGED COMMANDEER

Sir, —With reference to Mr McCracken's reply to my letter in regard to the alleged commandeer of iron and pipe from the Rangitaiki Dairy Factory and Whakatane firms I have no wish to enter into a con-* troversy over the matter, but Mr McCracken's reply bears out substantially all that I said in explanation of the Native Department's dealings y in the matter, at any rate. It must_„ be remembered that departmental officers cannot reply to made against them or through the columns of the and consequently I felt it was my duty to ascertain the department's side of the question and that I did in regard to the Native Department. Now the Public Works Department has been ■ mentioned and as I feel that,;the public are entitled to hear every side, and know all the facts I, am writing to the Hon. Minister of Public Works to-day for an official explanation of the business transaction. This may take some days to obtain, seeking it as I am, through* the avenue of the Minister himself. A Government always takes credit for creditable things done by State Departments. So also must a Gov-* eminent be held responsible for any departmental action which is subjected to criticism. It remains to be seen whether any departmental action in the matter under discussion really did merit the criticism that

caused me to write you in the first place. In regard to the shortage of iron and pipe generally, I desire to mention that I will ha interviewing the Hon. W. Nash on behalf of my constituents on Friday (this week) when I am in Wellington. I shall let you have his reply to the representations I make, ancl the A reph r from the Minister- of Public Works in regard to Mr McCracken's statement as soon as same are available . Yours etc., GORDON HULTQUIST.